When we are young, there is so much potential for a healthier future. Pediatrics chiropractic  makes that potential a reality for many babies and children—alignement for Whole Being care starts at birth even when no symptoms or irregularities are present.

Chiropractic is a drug-free and noninvasive healthcare option. Pediatric chiropractic treatments are gentle and designed for the individual child’s age and development. We examine the spine, ligaments, growth plates, and surrounding tissue.

Chiropractic education includes prenatal and pediatric care, and many chiropractors advance their education through diplomate programs. Chiropractic maternal and child healthcare includes prenatal care that facilitates faster, easier, and safer births.  

Why Chiropractic Pediatrics Is Safe for Children  

As parents and guardians sought alternatives to conventional pediatric care, many embraced chiropractic due to the research supporting its safety and efficacy. Safer Care Victoria is an Australian government healthcare agency. According to its 2019 independent review titled “Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation of Children Under 12.” 

Here’s what 21,824 parents and guardians told researchers:

• Children were “much improved” following treatment. (87%, or 19,052 respondents)
• They were “satisfied or very satisfied” with information about treatment risks. (99.1%, or 20,907 of respondents)

Parents and guardians expressed strong sentiments about their right to choose their child’s healthcare, taking into account the child’s overall health and well-being. These sentiments echo chiropractic’s “Whole Being” approach, which trusts the body’s capacity to heal without drugs and invasive treatments.  

As with any form of healthcare, comprehensive clinical assessments are essential prior to treatment. These assessments should include family histories and the symptoms present, particularly since conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and hypermobile EDS (hEDS) are usually not apparent until later childhood. 

However, chiropractic treatment of children is gentle throughout childhood to protect against underlying and undiagnosed conditions such as these. 

Safe at Any Age

Chiropractic care is safe for children from birth all the way through adulthood. Treatments address various conditions and situations, that include:

1. Chiropractic Prenatal Care 

Chiropractic can play an important role in prenatal care, including adjusting pregnant women’s hips to shorten labor, help reposition babies—including those that are breech. It can also help ward off complications that might otherwise require C-sections.   

2. Chiropractic Care of Infants 

Chiropractic care can be beneficial for infants as young as a few weeks. Treatment is always extremely gentle and based on factors including: 

• Age
• Gestational, physical, neurological, and anatomical development 
• Joint anatomy
• Muscle tone

Other benefits include a better range of motion and pain relief from the stressors of labor and delivery. 

3. Chiropractic Care in Toddlers, Children, and Adolescents

As children move beyond infancy, doctors of chiropractic (DCs)  adjust their approach accordingly while continuing to treat and monitor any issues that present in infancy, including:

• Toddlers (Ages 1 to 5). DCs pay particular attention to balance, coordination, and posture. They examine muscles and bones, monitor developmental milestones such as walking, track growth, and check into injuries resulting from falls.
• Elementary and Middle School (Ages 6 to 11). These children begin experiencing more “adult-like” problems, including poor posture and neck, back, and shoulder pain. Causes include backpacks, sports injuries, and ergonomic problems such as poorly adjusted school desks and seats.    
• Adolescence (ages 12 to 18). When children become teenagers, they experience growth spurts and other hormonal issues. Pain from posture problems such as tech neck is more prevalent, and children are often heavily involved in sports. 

Accidents ranging from a small bump to more serious events often go unreported, putting children at risk for chronic pain in later life. Also notable is that today’s schools are less likely to have a healthcare provider on staff. Regular chiropractic care acts as a benchmark for identifying and treating unreported injuries.

Treating Scoliosis 

Scoliosis is a condition characterized by an S- or C-shaped curve in the spine and can develop at any age. Chiropractors generally start watching for it between ages 6 and 12, much earlier overall than conventional pediatric practitioners. 

The chiropractic hallmarks of prevention and spinal alignment position chiropractors for earlier diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis.   

Where to Learn More 

The following are resources for those wishing to learn more about how chiropractors serve  prenatal and pediatric patients: 

• International Chiropractic Pediatric Association
• ICA Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics (affiliated with the American Chiropractic Association) 
• Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics 

I also invite you to learn about my own rewarding experiences in prenatal and pediatric chiropractic care.